Record linkages

Abstract

Health records linked via shared identifiers are basic research tools in epidemiology. Application in the study of drug effects in large healthcare databases linked to demographics and costs has become the basis for studies in large, multipurpose claims databases. These studies describe the epidemiology of adverse effects, the natural history of disease, outcomes after medical interventions and costs associated with all of these. Problems include the link - the unique personal identifier in two types of record which links them. If use of this identifier allows recognition of the individual, privacy is jeopardised. The second related problem is validating the reality of the events which might also infringe upon privacy. There is a need for health planners and ministries to recognise the value of both creating and maintaining the capability for standardised, multidimensional record linkage in the evolving healthcare systems.